Fifth leg for merchandising machine cabinet

ABSTRACT

A fifth leg for a merchandising machine cabinet having a door carrying a secondary merchandising unit and having a principal merchandising unit mounted in the cabinet so as to permit it to be swung out of the cabinet for loading, in which a leg pivoted on the door at a location remote from the door hinge moves from a retracted position to an extended position in response to movement of the door from said partially open position to said fully closed position so as to balance the machine whenever the door is between its partially open position and its fully open position.

Kull et al.

tates Patent 91 [451 June 26, 1973 [75] Inventors: Leo Kull, WestCaldwell; Bruce B.

' Landis, Long Valley, both of NJ.

[73] Assignee: Rowe International Inc., WhippaiE 22 Filed: Jan. 17, 1972211 Appl. No.: 218,071

[56] I References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS Kendt et a1. 312/276Dutcher ct a1 312/276 3,150,905 9/1964 Payton et a1 312/276 3,322,4805/1967 Bamstead et a1. 312/276 3,231,992 11/1966 Morrison 49/3963,637,255 1/1972 Re 297/D1G. 7

r r em r e fl mefl- 999", ,7 Attorney-Henry L. Shenier, Francis M.OConnor et a1.

ABSTRACT A fifth leg fora merchandising machine cabinet having a doorcarrying a secondary merchandising unit and having a principalmerchandising unit mounted in the cabinet so as to permit it to be swungout of the cabinet for loading, in which a leg pivoted on the door at alocation remote from the door hinge moves from a retracted position toan extended position in response to movement of the door from saidpartially open position to said fully closed position so as to balancethe machine Whenever the door is between its partially open position andits fully open position.

14 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures fiTTURNEYS PATENTEDJUNZG ms sum 1 or 2FIFTH LEG FOR MERCHANDISING MACHINE CABINET BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThere are known in the prior art merchandising machines in which themerchandising unit is mounted in the cabinet for swinging movementaround a vertical axis to a position out of the cabinet to facilitateloading of the merchandising unit from the back thereof. One suchmachine is shown in Auerbach et al. U.S. Pat. No. 3,227,307. Thecopending application of Albert Kurimsky Ser. No. 210,380 filed Dec. 21,1971 for Improved Delivery System for FIFO Merchandising Machinediscloses an improvement over the machine disclosed in the Auerbach etal. patent. In the machine disclosed in the Kurimsky application, asecondary merchandising unit adapted to dispensing articles such aspacks of gum and rolls of mints is mounted directly on the door of themachine cabinet. The primary merchandising unit which is adapted todispense articles such as bars of candy, bags of chips and the like,together with the coin mechanism is mounted within the cabinet forswinging movement around a vertical axis to a location outside thecabinet at which the back of the unit is accessible for loading.

It will be appreciated that in merchandising machines of the typedescribed above, most of the weight of the machine is in themerchandising units. As a result, when the door is open and the unitsare swung out to loading position, the entire machine is unbalanced andhas a tendency to topple thus endangering the person servicing themachine and raising the possibility of damage to the parts of themachine.

Some attempts have been made to overcome the problem outlined above ofbalancing a merchandising unit is swung out of the cabinet for loading.For example, foot-operated kick stands have been provided on the dooradjacent to its outer edge. The danger of such an arrangement is thatthe person servicing the machine may neglect to operate the kick standbefore moving the dispensing unit out of the cabinet. Moreover, if anattempt is made to close the cabinet door before the kick stand israised, floor at the location at which the machine is installed may begouged or scratched.

We'have invented a fifth leg for a merchandising machine cabinet whichovercomes the problems outlined above. Our fifth leg balances themachine with the door open and with the merchandising unit swung out forloading. Our fifth leg will not mar or scratch the floor at the machineinstallation. Our fifth leg is automatically extended as the cabinetdoor is moved to a partially open position and is automaticallyretracted as the door moves from the partially open to the fully closedposition. The construction of our fifth leg is simple. Operation of thefifth leg is certain.

- SUMMARY OF- THE INVENTION One object of our invention is to provide afifth leg for a merchandising machine cabinet which overcomes thedefects in merchandising machines of the prior art.

Another object of our invention is to provide a fifth leg for amerchandising machine cabinet which balances the machine with the dooropen and with the merchandising unit swung out for loading.

A further object of our invention is to provide a fifth leg for amerchandising machine which is automatically extended as the cabinetdoor is moved to a partially open condition.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a fifth leg for amerchandising machine cabinet which automatically moves to a retractedposition as the cabinet door is moved from a partially open to a fullyclosed condition.

Yet another object of our invention is to provide a fifth leg for amerchandising machine cabinet which automatically balances the machinein all positions of the door between a partially open and a fully opencondition.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a fifth leg for amerchandising machine which is simple in construction and which iscertain in operation.

Other and further objects of our invention will appear in the followingdescription.

In general our invention contemplates the provision of a fifth leg for amerchandising machine cabinet in which the leg is pivotally mounted onthe cabinet door at a location remote from the door hinge and isautomatically extended as the door is moved from the closed to apartially open condition and which is auto matically retracted as thedoor is moved from the partially open to the fully closed condition, sothat the leg balances the machine in all positions of the door betweenpartially open and fully open conditions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings whichform part of the instant specification and which are to be read inconjunction therewith and in which like reference numerals are used toindicate like parts in the various views:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a merchandising machine provided with ourfifth leg for merchandising machine cabinet.

FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the machine shown in FIG. 1 with the dooropen.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary elevation of a portion of the machineillustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 showing our fifth leg.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top plan of the mechanism shown in FIG. 3 withparts broken away.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary elevation of a portion of the structure shown inFIG. 3.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, amerchandising machine, indicated generally by the reference character 10with which our fifth leg is used, includes a cabinet 12 having a base 14and provided with a door 16 supported on upper and lower hinges 18 formovement between a fully closed position illustrated in FIG. 1 and afully open position illustrated in FIG. 2, which is about of movement ofthe door from fully closed. The door 16 has a coin slot 20 through whichcoins can be inserted into a coin mechanism 22 in order to make apurchase. Merchandise is delivered to the customer at a tray 24 in thedoor.

The particular machine illustrated in the drawings includes a secondarydispensing unit 26 which is adapted to contain articles of merchandisesuch for example as packs of gum and rolls of mints. The next of each ofthese articles to be dispensed is visible through one of a number ofwindows 28. Push buttons 30 carried by the door 16 are adapted to beactuated to energize the associated merchandising unit after a sum incoins aggregating the purchase price of an article has been inserted inslot 20.

The machine includes a main or principal merchandising unit 32 adaptedto store articles of merchandise such, for example, as bars of candy,bags of chips and the like. The next of each of these articles to bedispensed is visible to the customer through a respective window 34 inthe door 16. Activation of the respective sections of the main unit 32is under the control of push buttons 36 on door 16. As is more fullyshown in the Auerback patent, the entire unit 32 is supported forswinging movement to a position outside the cabinet 12 as shown indot-dash lines in FIG. 2. Moreover, the unit 32 may have swingable frontand back panels 38 and 40 which can be opened for access to the unit. Inthe machine with which our fifth leg is used, the coin mechanism 22 maybe carried by unit 32 for movement therewith. Since the operatingmechanisms of units 26 and 32 do not, per se, form part of ourinvention, they will not be described in detail.

Our fifth leg assembly includes a bracket 42 welded or otherwise securedto the frame of the machine within the cabinet 12. Bracket 42 receives abent end 44 of a rod 48. A pin 46 retains the end 44 in bracket 42 sothat rod 48 may swing relative to the bracket. The other end 50 of rod48 is bent at right angles to the end 44 and to the longitudinal axis ofrod 48 and is inserted through a guide link 52 and through a cam slot 54in the leg 56. A pin 58 retains the end 50 in assembled position withthe link 52 and the leg 56. A guide bolt 62 secured to the leg 56 ridesin a slot 60 in link 52 to guide the link in its movement in a manner tobe described. Rod 48 passes through a slot 64 formed in a flange 66 onthe end of link 52 to restrain the rod against appreciable swingingmovement around a horizontal axis while permitting limited angularmovement around a horizontal axis between the rod and the pivot providedat the rod end 44.

A bracket 68 welded or otherwise secured to the inside of the cabinetdoor carries a pivot pin 70 which supports leg 56 for movement betweenits extended position illustrated in full lines in FIG. 3 and itsretracted position illustrated in broken lines. A guide pin 72 onbracket 68 rides in an arcuate slot 74 in leg 56 to guide the leg in thecourse of its movement. A pivot bolt 78 selectively mounts a nylon block76 having rounded upper and lower edges in one of a number of spacedholes 82 in a flange 80 in leg 56. It will be seen that holes 82 allow arange of adjustment of the vertical position of block 76. In addition weposition the mounting hole in block 76 at a location vertically spacedfrom the block center. For example, in a particlar embodiment thespacing between holes 82 may be one-half inch while the block mountinghole is one-quarter inch from the center of the block. In this way theblock can be rotated I80 between two positions illustrated respectivelyin FIGS. 3 and 5. In a particular installation we so adjust the blockposition that the lower edge thereof just clears the floor in theextended position of the leg and does not engage the floor until unit 32is moved out of the cabinet 12 to tilt the cabinet slightly.

In operation of our fifth leg with the door 16 in the fully openposition illustrated in FlGS. 2 to 4, the end 50 of rod 48 is in theextreme right hand end of the straight portion of the cam slot 54. Atthe same time, guide bolt 62 is in the extreme left hand end of theguide slot 60 in link 52. Pin 74 is at the upper end of the arcuate slot74. Leg 56 is in its extended position and block 76 just clears thefloor. When unit 32 is moved out to tilt the cabinet block 76 engage thefloor.

From the positions of the parts just described, as the door 16 is movedfrom its fully open position toward closed position, end 50 travelsalong the straight portion of cam slot 54 until it engages the initialportion of the arcuate portion of cam slot 54. At this point, the rightend of slot 60 in link 52 engages bolt 62. From this intermediateposition continued movement of the door 16 toward its closed positioncauses link 52 to drive bolt 62 to rotate leg 56 around pin to itsretracted position. The arcuate portion of slot 54 permits of relativemovement between end 50 and leg 56. The parts are now in the broken lineposition illustrated in FIG. 3 when the door is fully closed.

When the door is opened, end 50, acting on the arcuate portion of camslot 54 immediately begins to move leg 56 to its extended position.After about 45 of movement of the door leg 56 is fully extended. It willbe appreciated that the leg is fully extended before the merchandisingunits can move to positions at which the machine is unbalanced. Afterthis 45 movement, end 50 registers with the straight portion of slot 54and continued movement of rod 48 and link 52 relative to the leg produceno movement of the leg.

It will be seen that we have accomplished the objects of our invention.We have provided a fifth leg for a merchandising machine cabinet whichovercomes the defects of arrangements of the prior art. Our fifth legbalances the machines with the door open and with the merchandising unitswung out for loading. No danger of marring the floor exists. Ourconstruction is such that the fifth leg is fully extended during theinitial opening movement of the door and is not retracted until theterminal part of the closing movement of the door. It is simple inconstruction and certain in operation.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of ourclaims. It is further obvious that various changes may be made indetails within the scope of our claims without departing from the spiritof our invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that our inventionis not to be limited to the specific details show and described.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim 1. ln a merchandisingmachine, an assembly including a cabinet, a door, means mounting saiddoor on said cabinet for movement around a generally vertical axisbetween a fully open condition and a fully closed condition, a leg,means mounting said leg on said door for movement around a generallyhorizontal axis between a retracted position and an extended position,and means responsive to movement of said door from its closed conditionto its open condition for moving said leg from its retracted position toits extended position.

2. An assembly as in claim 1 in which said leg mounting means isdisposed at a location on said door remote from said door mountingmeans.

3. An assembly as in claim 1 in which said means responsive to movementof said door moves said leg to its extended position at a position ofsaid door intermediate said open and closed conditions.

4. An assembly as in claim 3 in which said means responsive to movementof said door moves said leg from said extended position to saidretracted position upon movement of said door from said intermediateposition to said fully closed condition.

5. An assembly as in claim 4 in which said means responsive to movementof said door maintains said leg extended in all positions of said doorbetween said intermediate position and said fully open condition.

6. An assembly as in claim 5 in which said intermediate position of saiddoor is approximately half way between said fully open and said fullyclosed conditions of the door.

7. In a merchandising machine, an assembly including a cabinet, a door,a hinge mounting said door on said cabinet for movement around agenerally vertical axis between a fully closed condition and a fullyopen condition, a foot, means mounting said foot on said door at alocation remote from said hinge for pivotal movement around a generallyhorizontal axis between a retracted position and an extended position,and means including a rod extending between said cabinet and said doorfor moving said foot between said positions in response to movement ofsaid door between said open and closed conditions.

8. An assembly as in claim 7 in which said moving means comprises meansfor moving said foot from said retracted position to said extendedposition in response to movement of said door from said closed conditionto a position intermediate said open and closed conditions and formoving said leg from said extended position to said retracted positionin response to movement of said door from said intermediate position tosaid closed condition and for maintaining said foot in said extendedposition in all positions of said door between said closed and openconditions.

9. An assembly as in claim 8 in which said moving means comprises meanspivotally connecting said rod at one end thereof to said cabinet and acam slot in said leg for receiving the other end of said rod, said camslot comprising a curved portion adapted to be engaged by said other rodend between said fully closed condition of said door and saidintermediate position.

10. An assembly as in claim 9 in which said cam slot comprises astraight portion adapted to be engaged by said other rod end betweensaid intermediate position of said door and said fully open position.

11. An assembly as in claim 10 in which said means pivotally mountingsaid one rod end comprises means mounting said one rod for movementaround a generally vertical axis, and in which said moving meanscomprises means for restraining said rod against appreciable movementaround a generally horizontal axis.

12. An assembly as in claim 11 in which said restraining means comprisesa link said link receiving said other end of said rod, and apin-and-slot connection for coupling the said link to leg.

13. An assembly as in claim 12 including a flange on said link at alocation intermediate the ends of said rod and a slot in said flange forreceiving said rod.

14. An assembly as in claim 13 including a pin and arcuate slotconnection between said door and said leg for limiting the movement ofthe leg relative to the door to said extended and retracted positions.

1. In a merchandising machine, an assembly including a cabinet, a door,means mounting said door on said cabinet for movement around a generallyvertical axis between a fully open condition and a fully closedcondition, a leg, means mounting said leg on said door for movementaround a generally horizontal axis between a retracted position and anextended position, and means responsive to movement of said door fromits closed condition to its open condition for moving said leg from itsretracted position to its extended position.
 2. An assembly as in claim1 in which said leg mounting means is disposed at a location on saiddoor remote from said door mounting means.
 3. An assembly as in claim 1in which said means responsive to movement of said door moves said legto its extended position at a position of said door intermediate saidopen and closed conditions.
 4. An assembly as in claim 3 in which saidmeans responsive to movement of said door moves said leg from saidextended position to said retracted position upon movement of said doorfrom said intermediate position to said fully closed condition.
 5. Anassembly as in claim 4 in which said means responsive to movement ofsaid door maintains said leg extended in all positions of said doorbetween said intermediate position and said fully open condition.
 6. Anassembly as in claim 5 in which said intermediate position of said dooris approximately half way between said fully open and said fully closedconditions of the door.
 7. In a merchandising machine, an assemblyincluding a cabinet, a door, a hinge mounting said door on said cabinetfor movement around a generally vertical axis between a fully closedcondition and a fully open condition, a foot, means mounting said footon said door at a location remote from said hinge for pivotal movementaround a generally horizontal axis between a retracted position and anextended position, and means including a rod extending between saidcabinet and said door for moving said foot between said positions inresponse to movement of said door between said open and closedconditions.
 8. An assembly as in claim 7 in which said moving meanscomprises means for moving said foot from said retracted position tosaid extended position in response to movement of said door from saidclosed condition to a position intermediate said open and closedconditions and for moving said leg from said extended position to saidretracted position in response to movement of said door from saidintermediate position to said closed condition and for maintaining saidfoot in said extended position in all positions of said door betweensaid closed and open conditions.
 9. An assembly as in claim 8 in whichsaid moving means comprises means pivotally connecting said rod at oneend thereof to said cabinet and a cam slot in said leg for receiving theother end of said rod, said cam slot comprising a curved portion adaptedto be engaged by said other rod end between said fully closed conditionof said door and said intermediate position.
 10. An assembly as in claim9 in which said cam slot comprises a straight portion adapted to beengaged by said other rod end between said intermediate position of saiddoor and said fully open position.
 11. An assembly as in claim 10 inwhich said means pivotally mounting said one rod end comprises meansmounting said one rod for movement around a generally vertical axis, andin which said moving means comprises means for restraining said rodagainst appreciable movement around a generally horizontal axis.
 12. Anassembly as in claim 11 in which said restraining means comprises a linksaid link receiving said other end of said rod, and a pin-and-slotconnection for coupling the said link to leg.
 13. An assembly as inclaim 12 including a flange on said link at a location intermediate theends of said rod and a slot in said flange for receiving said rod. 14.An assembly as in claim 13 including a pin and arcuate slot connectionbetween said door and said leg for limiting the movement of the legrelative to the door to said extended and retracted positions.